Tõlketööriistad

Tõlketööriistad refer to software applications and services designed to assist human translators or to provide automated translations. These tools have evolved significantly, from early machine translation systems to sophisticated computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools and online translation platforms.

Machine translation (MT) is the most automated form, where software translates text or speech from one language to another without human intervention. Examples include Google Translate and DeepL. While convenient for understanding the gist of a text, MT often struggles with nuance, context, and accuracy, especially for complex or creative content.

Computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools, on the other hand, work alongside human translators. They typically include features such as translation memory (TM), which stores previously translated segments for reuse, and terminology databases (termbases) to ensure consistency in specialized vocabulary. Popular CAT tools include SDL Trados Studio, memoQ, and Wordfast. These tools enhance translator productivity and consistency.

Online translation platforms often combine aspects of both MT and CAT, offering a user-friendly interface for quick translations and sometimes integrating features like glossaries or community suggestions. The development of translation tools continues to be driven by advancements in natural language processing (NLP) and artificial intelligence (AI), aiming to improve accuracy, fluency, and the overall translation workflow.